Often on the way home from work I see many individuals on the train with their heads down – they are not sleeping; the majority of them are swiping their mobile device screen, searching for that one specific app they have downloaded to keep them occupied or entertained on their journey home.  I have to admit that I too have a few go-to apps (yes, my list includes Angry Birds!) that help to pass the time as I head home and my list continues to grow, although lately I find myself asking – Do I really need this one? 

The number of iTunes Apps also continues to expand with 1.2 million apps now available (as of June 2014).  Based on this information, it doesn’t surprise me that our number one most frequently visited LibGuide is Mobile Resources Selected by the MSK Library (as of November 11, there has been 3,424 views this year).  If you haven’t had a chance to visit this resource, take a moment to review a curated list of apps that have been organized by device (Android, Blackberry, iPhone, and iPad) and by Profession/Interest (Clinical, Laboratory & Research, Nursing, and Patients & Caregivers).  Each app that was selected and added to this Guide was vetted to ensure that it would bring value to our user community and perhaps in some way enhance their work productivity.

Besides a selection of great apps, our LibGuide also has information (see dialog box, left of screen entitled “Library Icon on iOS”) for those who want to be one tap away from the Library website!  Instructions for adding the Library Icon are simple and can also be found on our Library Blog.

As you continue to add relevant apps to your mobile devices, don’t forget our LibGuide as a resource for apps that have been reviewed, vetted and tested! Perhaps I might not be the only one who is becoming a tad picky and appreciate a shorter list from which to select!

Donna Gibson
Director of Library Services